Laurent Calmel and Jérôme Joseph: A Mediterranean Wine Adventure

A Journey from Global Experiences to Local Expertise

Laurent Calmel grew up around the Mediterranean. This versatile wine consultant has traveled the world, working in many wine-producing countries including Chile, Australia, Argentina, Moldova, and the United States. Upon returning to his homeland, he met Jérôme Joseph, who was leading a small wine trading house in Languedoc. Their meeting in 2007 marked a turning point in both their careers.

"We realized we had a lot in common: a love for Mediterranean wines and a desire to highlight the Languedoc-Roussillon vineyard," Laurent recalls.

Crafting Unique Languedoc Wines Together

This new friendship sparked a joint project: creating a trading house to promote the richness and uniqueness of Languedoc wines. Thus began the Calmel et Joseph adventure. Over the years, Laurent and Jérôme established partnerships with carefully selected Languedoc producers, where they source grapes, age the wines in their cellars, and blend them with harvests from other producers within the same terroir.

In essence, Calmel et Joseph operates differently from a cooperative winery.

"We work with 2 or 3 winemakers per wine. Our goal is to make parcel selections to separate the vines and achieve very precise and atypical wines with consistency from year to year. This is why we always work with the same producers," explains Jérôme.

Although Laurent and Jérôme do not focus on organic certification or other labels, they emphasize high-quality grapes. "We prioritize winemakers who use the least amount of pesticides possible. Their grapes must have taste and personality," they note.

Calmel et Joseph: Showcasing Languedoc’s Terroirs

Today, Calmel et Joseph stands out in several key Languedoc appellations: Corbières, Côtes du Roussillon, Faugères, Minervois, and more. "The Languedoc vineyard offers an impressive range of terroirs, whether in plains, hills, or at altitude. We draw from this variety to best represent what we envision as a Languedoc wine," Laurent elaborates.

Featuring iconic Languedoc grape varieties (Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, etc.) and divided into five distinct ranges, Calmel et Joseph wines adhere to three essential criteria: "freshness, finesse, and elegance." "We closely monitor the winemaking process. We aim to support the wine rather than alter it. If there’s a defect, we intervene, but otherwise, we let nature take its course," they add.

Expanding Horizons: Acquiring a Corbières Vineyard

Initially, the two wine experts did not intend to acquire a vineyard, as it would have introduced too many constraints and geographical restrictions. However, nearly a decade later, Laurent and Jérôme ventured into winemaking by acquiring a vineyard in the northern part of the AOC Corbières, just ten minutes from Carcassonne.

The estate features 20 hectares of organically grown vines planted at an altitude of 250 meters. "We enjoy an exceptional setting with significant biodiversity. We are surrounded by thyme, olive trees, lavender… it’s like Tuscany!" Laurent exclaims.

Jérôme and Laurent aim to leverage this idyllic setting to develop their oenotourism activities: horseback riding, hiking trails, and more. These activities will complement the four fully renovated cottages surrounding Domaine Calmel et Joseph, offering visitors a complete immersion in Languedoc, with wine tastings included.

"Wine is about pleasure and discovery. When you open a bottle, you never know what you’re going to get!" summarizes Laurent, whose philosophy—reminiscent of a famous line from Forrest Gump—leaves one dreaming…